Poll: Is Gods Love Unconditional

[Michael The Disciple]

Here we see conditions to be met for God to be with us.

2 Cor. 13:11

11 Finally, brethren, farewell . Be perfect , be of good comfort , be of one mind , live in peace ; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

[Michael The Disciple]

Generally speaking it seems apart from Christ and assumedly obedience to him that this must be true?

36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. John 3:36

[navygoat1998]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

What does this mean?

John 15:21

21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

Yes I do think there is a general love God has for man. However it does not seem scriptural to think its unconditional.

I don't know Michael, but by the sounds of this scripture it is not just a general love. I do see your point.

Romans 5:8

8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

[imreedemed]

God loved us UNCONDITIONALLY to have sent His SON Jesus Christ that whosoever believeth in Him will not perish but have eternal life. There is a condition placed on believing in the Son to cross from death unto life.

I see God's love as being unconditional YET He gives us a freewill to choose His way or the devil's way

[Michael The Disciple]

I should have actually phrased it more like "Is Gods love for believers/Christians unconditional.

God is a very deep being. While we agree he has a general love for mankind he also hates sinners generally!

11 God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. Psalms 7:11

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

I should have actually phrased it more like "Is Gods love for believers/Christians unconditional.

God is a very deep being. While we agree he has a general love for mankind he also hates sinners generally!

11 God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. Psalms 7:11

Michael... God's love is unconditional. Absolute unconditional love. However, God's holiness requires that sin be judged. God loves ever soul that will be condemned to Hell. In a very real sense... the vast majority will have condemned themselves to Hell.

In the verse you posted, we read...

11 God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. Psalms 7:11

God is "angry" with the wicked. He doesn't "hate" them as we would define hatred. I can be angry with my son... knowing I must punish his behavior... and still love him very very much.

God's love...

John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Who did God love? The world. That includes the most vile of sinners.

We also read...

Romans 5:8
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

God commended His love towards us... in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

You can't tell me that God "hates" sinners. God's love for sinners is the reason for this entire drama unfolding on earth.

Michael... you've failed to think categorically again.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

What does this mean?

John 15:21

21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

Yes I do think there is a general love God has for man. However it does not seem scriptural to think its unconditional.

Michael... if you've ever broken one of Christ's commandments since being born again, and have been forgiven and restored... you are a living example of God's unconditional love.

[Aquila]

Imagine that I'm a police officer. And my son commits a terrible crime and I end up being the one who confronts him. Now... I have to arrest him for his deed and bring him to justice. However, that doesn't mean that I don't still love him.

People who cannot think in terms of categorical logic cannot see the relationship between two "seemingly contradictory" subjects. They cannot see that God's love is unconditional with relation to His essence (God is love). God will never stop loving His creation. However, God's nature (namely divine justice and holiness) requires judgment towards sin.

Two distinct ontological categories.

[Aquila]

People who cannot think categorically will either think that God is a big teddy bear who doesn't care one bit about sin... or they will see God as a darkened, angry, vicious God that must be appeased or else.

Both are terrible misrepresentations of our God. God is unconditionally loving. However, due to His very nature He must judge sin. And we must keep in mind that there are many different ways and manners in which God judges sin. It's not always, "To Hell with you sinner!"

So... if you are struggling with sin today... confess it and be of a repentant heart... asking God to forgive you. God's unconditional love will break forth and you'll find yourself awash in oceans of grace.

[imreedemed]

Originally Posted by Aquila

People who cannot think categorically will either think that God is a big teddy bear who doesn't care one bit about sin... or they will see God as a darkened, angry, vicious God that must be appeased or else.

Both are terrible misrepresentations of our God. God is unconditionally loving. However, due to His very nature He must judge sin. And we must keep in mind that there are many different ways and manners in which God judges sin. It's not always, "To Hell with you sinner!"

So... if you are struggling with sin today... confess it and be of a repentant heart... asking God to forgive you. God's unconditional love will break forth and you'll find yourself awash in oceans of grace.

Once Saved Always Saved lol